Room ventilating unit for mounting in window frames



R. H. BOEMER Oct. 10, 1950 ROOM VENTILATING UNIT FOR MOUNTING IN WINDOW FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 9, 1947 Fla: 2

1 INVENTOR.

RICHARD H. BOEMER w m. \A -A X A TTOR may Oct. 10, 1950 R, H, oEMER 2,525,395

ROOM VENTILATING UNIT FOR MOUNTING IN WINDOW FRAMES 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1947 3 7 2 9 INVEN TOR.

RICHARD H. BOEMER 14 TTORHEY Patented Oct. 10, 1950 ROOM VENTILATING UNIT FOR MOUNTING IN WINDOW FRAIVIES Richard H. Boomer, Milwaukee, Wis. Application August 9, 1947, Serial No. 767,773

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in room ventilating units adaptable for mounting in existing window frames.

One of the difficulties with present units of this type is that when mounted in the window frame they interfere with the conventional w1ndow drapes and shades and cannot be used when such drapes are closed. Another objection is that they unduly obstruct vision and entrance of light through the window. I

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a room ventilating unit which, when mounted to the upper member of a window frame, will not interfere with the customary location on such frame of conventional drapes and shade and will operate whether said drapes are open or closed, and which will not unduly obstruct vision and entrance of light through the window.

Another object of this invention is to provide a room ventilating unit which when installed will not detract from the appearance of a properly draped window.

These objects are accomplished by providing a casing forming an air duct with an upper cylindrically shaped chamber and circular opening and a lower shallow rectangularly shaped chamber and opening so arranged that the bottom of the cylindrically shaped chamber is above the top of the rectangularly shaped chamber and opening. The rectangularly shaped opening has a height approximately the same as the standard sash width. Such a casing may be secured to the upper member of a window frame with the rectangular opening positioned just below such top member and the cylindrically shaped chamber and circular opening positioned above the bottom of such top member. This permits the conventional drapes to extend fully across the window in the customary fashion, the tops of such drapes being below the circular opening but above the top of the window frame opening. The drapes may be closed or opened without interference with the unit so mounted and--when the drapes are closed the only part of the ventilating unit which is visible is the circular opening. Since the height of the rectangular opening is no greater than the width of the sash it will not obstruct vision or the entrance of light through the window. 7

The novel features, which are considered characteristic of the invention, are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a ventilating unit embodying the present invention secured to the top of a window frame with the upper sash lowered to permit access between the rectangular opening of the unit and the outside of the window frame;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectionalview taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation similar to the view of Fig. 1 but with the upper sash raised to close the window and the rectangular opening of the unit;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the spacer block in place.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, the room ventilating unit is shown mounted to the top member l0 of a conventional window frame containing a top sash I l and lower sash I2 separated by the usual parting strip is. The ventilating unit consists of a casing 14 which is preferably made of cast aluminum but may also be made from sheet metal parts formed and welded together. The casing provides a duct which extends transversely from one end to the other end of the casing. The casing and duct are formed to provide an upper cylindrically shaped chamber l6 having a circular opening ll and a, lower shallow rectangularly shaped cham ber 18 provided with a rectangularly shaped opening l9. The two chambers are so related that the bottom 20 of the cylindrically shaped chamber l6 lies above the top 2| of the lower rectangularly shaped chamber. The height of the opening 19 as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 is about equal to the width of the standard top member of sash H. The two chambers are connected by a portion l5 which gradually contracts in width from the rectangular chamber l8 and extends upwardly to the cylindrical chamber IS. A motor 22 and associated fan 23 are mounted in the cylindrical chamber 16 so that the fan is positioned within the circular opening l1. Conventional electrical connections 24 are utilized to connect the motor to a source of power.

The rear wall of the cylindrical chamber I6 has a flat surface 25 which is adapted to rest against the inner face of the top member In. Some form of pads or flanges 26 may be provided on the casing I4 through which screws 21 may pass to secure the unit to the frame member. The distance between the vertical surface 25 and the rectangular opening 19 is proportioned so that when said surface is fiushly mounted against the conventional window frame the opening 1 9 will be substantially flush with the outer edge of the parting strip 13. This permits the top sash Ii to be moved from the open position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the closed position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Thus the sash forms the shutter for the ventilating unit and the obstruction to vision and minimum. If there is variation in the standard frame construction, it is of course possible to put filler blocks between the surface 25 and the member I 0.

To permit the unit to be installed in frames of varying widths, the length of the rectangular chamber I8 is less than the width of the average window. When the unit is installed, the space between the ends of the rectangular chamber 18 and the side members of the frame is filled by spacer blocks 28 which are preferably made of wood and are temporarily secured to the window frame l0. Being made of wood or other easily cuttable material they may be cut to the desired length at the time of installation. A circular grill 29 is hingedly mounted to the circular opening H to guard the fan 23 and to provide a pleasant appearance to the normally visible circular opening. This grill preferably may be made of metal or plastic with pleasingly colored or plated surface. It is preferably held in closed position by a latch 39 so that it may be easily swung open to clean the fan. The fan 23 is removably secured to the motor 22 by a knurled'hand nut 37 and when the grill is open the fan may be easily removed for cleaning it and oiling the motor.

When the unit is inserted as shown, the roller shade 3! may be placed so that it is directly below the bottom of the rectangular chamber I 8.

. A curtain rod 32 can be secured to the member 19 so that it passes beneath the bottom of the cylindrically shaped chamber l and still is above the top of the window. Drapes 33 may be carried by the curtain rod 32 in the conventional may be open or closed circular opening l7 and grill 29.

As previously explained, the upper sash H acts as the shutter for the opening l9. In order to control its movement for the proper distance there is provided, as shown in Fig. 1, which secured to the side member ofthe frame and a swinging latch 35 carried by the sash. The

latch 35 is balanced to normally swing toward the frame. Hence, when the sash is lowered it will contact the lug 34 and stop the window in the open position shown in that figure. If it is desired to open the window a greater distance it is only necessary to swing the latch 35 outwardly away from the frame and abutment with the lug 34. Finger grippers 36 may be secured to the sash I I to assist in moving it up and down in its shutter action.

Although only one embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that this application is intended to cover such changes or modifications as come within the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claim:

A room ventilating unit for mounting in window frames comprising a casing forming an air duct with an upper cylindrically shaped chamhigher than the top of the rectangularly shaped chamber whereby the casing may be mounted to the upper member of a window frame with the rectangularly shaped opening positioned beneath the top member of the frame and the circular opening positioned above the bottom of uch top member, said rectangularly shaped chamber being long enough to have said rectangularly shaped opening project substantially to the inner surface of the top member of the upper sash of a RICHARD H. BOEMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Aug. 3, 1909 June 4, 1912 Dec. 1, 1914 Feb. 17, 1981 Nov. 28, 1933 May 6, 1947 Number 

